2CGazette - Designer's Diary — Dungeon Master

A Fantasy World's Elite - The Privilege and Power of Dragons

Dragonflight Dragons Dungeon Master Monsters World-Building

  As you delve deeper into the pages of fantastical tales or traverse the vast terrains of a Dungeons & Dragons campaign, it becomes evident: dragons aren't merely creatures; they're institutions. Majestic and mighty, these beings soar above not just in flight but in stature, wielding an authority few can challenge. Let's embark on a journey to unravel the threads of privilege and power dragons possess, and the ripples their dominance sends through the tapestry of fantasy worlds. A Natural Majesty: Born EliteBefore delving into the societal implications of their power, we must first understand the inherent strength dragons are...

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Crafting Story-Significant Magical Items: Ensuring Uniqueness and Irreplaceability

Dungeon Master ELCC Game Design Magic Items

Dive deep into magic item creation with the Epic Legacy Campaign Codex!   The Art of Crafting Magical Items In the realm of Dungeons & Dragons, story-significant magical items have the potential to enrich a campaign's narrative and create lasting memories for players. While we previously discussed the importance of relevance and compatibility when introducing plot-significant magical items, it is equally vital to ensure their uniqueness and irreplaceability. In this blog post, we will delve deeper into the art of crafting magical items that leave a lasting impression on your players and elevate your storytelling.   Step One: Unleashing Creativity with...

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Breaking Down Spellcasting: The Math Behind the Magic

Dungeon Master ELCR Game Design Spellcasting

Magic in the Epic Legacy Core Rulebook derives from concepts in this post! In Dungeons & Dragons, magic is a powerful and versatile tool that can be wielded by various classes. To fully harness the potential of spellcasting, understanding the underlying mechanics and math is crucial. This blog post will delve into the calculations behind spellcasting, covering concepts such as spell save DC, spell attack modifier, and damage scaling. By grasping these principles, you can optimize your characters and enhance your gameplay experience.   Spell Save DC When a player casts a spell that requires a saving throw, the target...

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Choosing What to Detail and What to Leave Open for Interpretation in RPG Content

Dungeon Master ELCC Game Design Meta-Concepts

A plethora of DM tips & tricks in the Epic Legacy Campaign Codex!   The Art of Detailing in RPGs As a Dungeon Master, you hold the power to create immersive and engaging worlds for your players to explore. One of the keys to achieving this is knowing when to provide detail to various areas of your game and when to leave aspects open for interpretation. This balance can help you create a captivating setting, while also allowing your players the freedom to imagine and contribute to the story. In this blog post, we will explore how to strike the right...

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The Role of Non-Combat Spells in D&D Monster Design

Dungeon Master ELCR Game Design Monsters Spellcasting

Epic combat & non-combat spells in the Epic Legacy Core Rulebook When it comes to designing monsters in Dungeons & Dragons, it's easy to focus on their combat abilities and damage output. However, non-combat spells can play a crucial role in creating more interesting and engaging monster designs. In this blog post, we'll discuss the importance of non-combat spells in monster design and offer tips on how to incorporate them effectively into your game.   The Value of Non-Combat Spells While combat is a significant aspect of D&D, non-combat spells can bring a different dimension to encounters and help create...

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